Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-03-05
DAILY HERALD.
ORANGES.
Reasons Why They do not
Sell Better.
GOOD RULES FOR PACKING.
Over One Third of This Years
Crop Already SOld-The
Growers Union.

Crop Already Sold-The
Growers Union.
Over one.third of the orange crop has
already been sold, and were it not for
the negligence of the growers in general,
there would be an excellent chance to
dispose of every orange at an advanta.
rsous price. The main difficulty in the
way is the stupidity Of the shippers,
Who do not regulate the supply. In the
chief orsnge markets it is either feast
or famine. Either the market is over
stocked or there are none to be had. 1t
l. this fact that destroys the evenness of
prices and aids in making the crop less
profitable than should be the case. 1t is
true that q very earnest endeavor is
being made by the "Orauge.Growers'
Union" to equalize shipments and to
provide for the proper supply of the
markets, but as long as one.third of the
growers refuse to co operate, and ship
Unfortunately, SO long will the returns
be less satisfactory to all concerned. The
object Of this Union is to provide for the
proper marketing of oranges, and it is to
the interest of every grower to join it.
IRREGULAR SHIPMENTS.
Last year the shipments of oranges were
very irregular. 1t was the intention of
the Union to forward about six
carloads to San Francisco every
day. That amount would fully supply
the demand and at the same time be
just enough to prevent prices from going
down. So far as the Union was con-
oeFned, the intention was carried out,
but the growers who did not belong
stepped in and destroyed the chances
for fair returns. Thus some days the
arrivals in San Francisco went as high as
twelve or thirteen carloads, and the con.
sequence was the market was glutted,
and in order to sell low prices had to be
taken. It was impossible to get that
other one third to cooperate in the good
work, and the market was spoiled.
Dealers well know that it is easy enough
70 lower price. but it is very difficult
70 raise it after the downfall. San Fran.
Disco Is a difficult market to supply un-
der any circumstances, and the Union
has of late turned its attention to sup.
plying the Eastern markets in preference.
If it can manage to dispose of the pro.
duct of all its members in the East then
those outside can have San Francisco to
themselves, but it is pity that so much
of the product is wasted each year,
when it will all realize good prices if
properly handled.
POOR PACKING.
Another reason that the oranges of the
growers do not sell better is on
account of the packing. 1t is true that
most of the large growers are paying
proper attention to packing, but there
= that one.third which comes to market
in very bad shape, so bad that the repu.
tation of California is at stake. Every
shipment of poorly packed oranges in.
jures the reputation of California for
honesty. A representative of the HER.
AID, who has investigated the matter,
ascertained that in many cases buyers
expected to be cheated, and can, there.
fore. with difficulty be induced to pay
fair prices for fruit which is carefully
packed and honestly selected. It is sur.
priaing to learn how many really believe
that all growers are trying to take ad-
vantage of them, and that this is so is
only on account of the righteousness
of the growers. Buyers soon learn the
brands which can and cannot be trusted,
and the result is that those packed
honestly bring prices far above the
Others. Purchasers do not like to buy
Q box of fruit of any kind and find only
the top layer in good condition, and the
rest of the box filled in with scrubs.
Nearly every citizen of this metropolis
has had this experience, and it is no
wonder that the reputation of all is be.
ing spoiled by the few. 1t is fortunate
that there are some who are trying to
better the state of affairs. and the
sooner all growers come to the conclusion
that honest rackingis the best the sooner
will matters assume more satisfactory
both for them and the
others. Even honest packing will not
sntirely remove the objections to the
oranges of this vicinity. A visitor to
the markets will remark the number of
boxes which are filled with oranges
which are covered with the black scale.
CLEAN ORANGES.
Nice clean oranges always sell better
Than the dirty looking ones, aud when
his can be removed with little difficulty
there seems to be no reason why it is
not removed. The only way of account.
ing for it is in the laziness of the pack
srs. Fruit properly cleaned brings fully
more than when it is dirty and
packed. For convenience sake
uome regular system of grading should |
be adopted. The Union has taken
step in this direction and is gradually
to point when all fruit shall |
be properly graded as to size and quail. |
Ity. In older orange growing countries
t has been found necessary to grade the |
Eruit evenly SO that buyers may know |
just what they are getting without the |
opening of the boxes. At the present |
lime packages of oranges are graded
to the number in the box, but |
/ system wherein the grades should be
known as No. l, 2, 3. etc., will finally |
,e the result of experience and when |
his becomes universal the handling and |
leiling of the fruit will be accomplished |
With more facility. All growers should |
cooperate for their own good and should |
'ndeavor to increase instead of lower |
he reputation of the California product. |
DIRECTIONS.
Some time since the Union promulgated
he following directions, which it would
70 well If everyone would follow:
Frst-The fruit should never be
licked green-a few green or off colored
ranges in box only may lose sale or
ause low prices for the whole lot;
Fhsreas well matured oranges of fine
olor will always command good prices.